Handle for ballast tampers



NOV. 17, 1931. J JOWE-T-T' 1,832,811

HANDLE FOR BALLAST TAMPERS Filed- May 2. 1929 INVENTOR. Jam 6 H rlbw'eltHA5 A TTORNEY Patented Nov. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics JAMESH. JO'WETT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO INGERSOLL-RANI) COliIPANY,0F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY HANDLE FORBALLAST TAMTPERS Application filed May 2, 1929. Serial No. 359,807.

This invention relates to ballast tampers, but more particularly to ahandle for machines of this type.

An object of the invention is to equip a tamper with a plurality of gripmembers so arranged as to enable an operator to assume differentpositions While supporting and guiding the tamper. This is desirable,particularly during prolonged tamping operations in which, when anoperator is compelled to assume only one position for holding the tamperduring long periods, he becomes more readily fatigued and as a resultthe maximum efficiency of which a tamper of this type is capable willnot be obtained.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a handle of T-shapewhich is preferably secured to the rearwardmost grip portion so that,for certain tamping opera tions, the tamper may be guided entirely fromits rearward extremity. This arrangement will enable the operator, undercertain circumstances, to assume an upright position instead of thesteeping position which he is compelled to assume when supporting andguiding the tamper by means of the usual grip portions wherewith toolsof this type are equipped.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed outhereinafter.

In the drawings illustrating one form which the invention may assume inpractice and a practical application thereof,

Figure l is a longitudinal elevation of a ballast tamper equipped with ahandle constructed in accordance with the practice of the invention,Figure 2 is an enlarged detail in elevation partly in section of therearward portion of a handle extension and the grip members, and

Figure 3 is a transverse view taken through Figure 2 on the line 33looking in the di rection indicated by the arrows.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the ballast tamper isdesignated generally by A and comprises the usual cylinder B havingfront and back heads C and D respectively.

The front and back heads are shown secured to the cylinder B by neans ofbolts E, and working implement in the form of a tamping bar F extendsinto the front head C to receive the blows of the percussive element,such as a hammer piston (not shown) encased by the cylinder B.

The pressure fluid utilized for actuating the tamper may be conveyedfrom a suitable source of supply (not shown) by a supply line Gconnected to the cylinder B and having a throttle valve H forcontrolling the admission cf pressure fluid into the cylinder. Theexhaust fluid from the cylinder flows through an exhaust port J locatedin this instance at a point near the forward end of the cylinder.

In accordance with the usual practice, the back head D is provided witha handle extension K having a pair of grip portions L and O spacedrelatively to each other along the length of the extension, the gripportion L being located near the back head D and the grip portion 0 atthe rearward extremity of the handle extension K. Both grip portions Land 0 may be hollow and are of such width as to accommodate only onehand and the grip portion 0 is conveniently curved to correspond to thenatural curvature of the palm of a hand. Although this arrangement ofthe grip portions is in many respects advantageous it affords little inthe way of variety of positions which an operator may assume inmanipulating the tamper. As a 'matter of fact, in prior structures he islimited to only one and that a stooping position which obviously may notbe maintained for extended periods of time without interspersions ofperiods for relaxation. In certain kinds of work employing hand heldtools these interruptions in the work may not be objectionable. Whentamping ballast under ties of existing tracks, however, and particularlythose where the trains are scheduled to run at close intervals it isessential that the tamper be capable of being operated for extendedperiods of time without causing undue fatigue to the operator.

In furtherance of this end the present invention aims to provide theballast tamper with a plurality of grip portions suitably arranged toenable the tamper to be supported as heretofore as the exigencies of thework may require or to enable an operator to assume an upright positionfor performing such work as drawing the ballast material to the side ofthe tie and from which position itmay afterwards he tamped beneath thetie. The handle extension K is accordingly provided with two gripmembers P disposed at the opposite ends of the grip portion 0. The gripmembers P are preferably of flexible material, such as rubber, and havebores Q therethrough to receive a bolt R- which also extends through thehollow grip portion 0.

The bolt R maintains the grip members P rigid and is threaded at one endfor the reception of a nut S whereby the members P may be clampedsecurely in position. Preferably washers T are interposed between thenut S, the head of the bolt R and the grip members P to distribute thepressure of the nut over substantial area of the ends of the gripmembers.

Means are n'ovided for maintainin the l 2: grip members P insubstantially the same transverse plane as the grip portion 0 and alsoto act as abutments for the innermost ends of' the grip members P. Thesemeans are in the form of washers U having bores V to receive the bolt R.The washers U are interposed between the ends of the grip portion O andthe adjacent ends of the grip mem ers P and have plane surfaces U to actas seats for the grip members P. On one side of the we 1 rs U aretapered lugs N which extend imo the ends of the grip portion 0 andcooperate therewith to centralize the bolt R and th is also the gripmembers P with the ends or the grip portion O.

The present invention is particularly applicable to existing ballasttampers and may be readily applied thereto without necessitating anychanges in the tamper as originally constructed, it being merelynecessary to place a grip member P and a washer U on the bolt R and theninsert the bolt in the grip portion O. The other washer U and gripmember P may then be disposed on the projecting end of the bolt and thenut S may be threaded on the bolt to clamp the members P to the gripportion 0.

I claim:

1. In a ballast tamper, the combination'of a casing and a handleextension therefor having rearward and forward hollow grip portions eachadapted to accommodate only one hand, flexible grip members on oppositesides of the rearward grip portion to enable the tamper to be supportedand guided from only the rearward extremity of the handle extension, abolt extending through the grip members and the rearward grip portion,vashers on the bolt interposed between the rearward grip portion and thegrip members to act as abutments for the grip members, and

tapered lugs on the washers extending into the grip portion to hold themembers in transverse alignment with the said rearward grip portion.

2. In a device of the character described, a curved hollow gripportion,.a bolt in the grip portion projecting beyond the ends thereof,resilient grip members on the projecting ends of the bolt, a washerbetween each grip member and the grip portion having a plane face to actas an abutment for the resilient grip member, and a tapered lug on theother face of the Washer entering the hollow grip portion to maintainthe bolt in aligned position with respect thereto.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

JAMES H. JOWETT.

